This week's author is the Rev. Ineke K. Mitchell, North Central Regional Minister for the Connecticut Conference, UCC.
James and John, Zebedee's sons, came up to him. "Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us."
"What is it? I'll see what I can do."
"Arrange it," they said, "so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory -- one of us at your right, the other at your left."
Jesus said, "You have no idea what you're asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I'm about to be plunged into?"
"Sure," they said. "Why not?"
Jesus said, "Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in my baptism. But as to awarding places of honor, that's not my business. There are other arrangements for that."
When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around," he said, "and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served -- and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage."
I don't think I ever noticed before that it wasn't Jesus who got mad at the two who wished for privileged places next to him -- the ones who were outraged were their peers. Jesus' only response was to remind them what authentic discipleship will actually look like: an everlasting participation in his baptism and in his shared cup of blessing... And, further, that truly honorable lives are lives lived in service to others.
When we are afraid, and scared to acknowledge the reality of that which is to come -- as Jesus announced for the 3rd time what would become of him -- our denial will catapult us into scrambling for safety and security. We want to stay as close to Jesus as we can, right by his side. And what does Jesus do? He sends us out into the world to baptize and break bread and share the cup with all who have not yet come to know him.
Yesterday Don and I went to mass at the Weston Priory in Weston, Vermont -- for me one of the most sacred places in the world, one where Jesus never fails to touch me in deep places. And 15 minutes before the service would start, as we squeezed into two of the few remaining open seats in the far corner of the big barn, surrounded by strangers, I pondered once more why, of all places, this is where my soul finds rest.
It wasn't until I read once again the gospel passage for this week that I realized why this band of brothers, with their simple songs and ancient practice of Benedictine hospitality, continue to fill their simple barn to overflowing. They exude the love of God and extend it to all who cross the threshold into their community. They embody the invitation Jesus extends in today's gospel to all of us who may fall into the trap that John and James fell into that day.
It is not the safety and security of privilege that saves us -- it is radical risk-taking for the sake of the gospel. It is basking in the abundance of God's love and grace that will provide all we need, and it is acceptance of Jesus' baptism and cup that will give us strength for the journey, wherever it takes us.
Loving God, forgive us and love us into being the bearers of grace you call us to be. Amen.
Please remember:
the Rev. Nancy Allen, associate minister of Immanuel Congregational Church UCC in Hartford, as she undergoes cancer treatment;
the Rev. Dr. Kenneth J. Hoyt, pastor of the Middlebury Congregational Church UCC, recovering from surgery for a kidney tumor;
our Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree and her spouse, David, as he undergoes chemotherapy and radiation treatment for stomach cancer;
the Rev. M. J. Hinchliff, pastor of First Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC of East Haddam, who is being treated for breast cancer;
the people of Samoa recovering from a tsunami;
the people of the Philippines rebuilding after storm and floods;
the people of Honduras and our ecumenical partners there amidst continuing political turmoil;
the Conference's partners working for peace in Colombia, amidst escalating violence;
the leaders of this nation, that they may meet the challenges of the day with insight, wisdom, and compassion;
those suffering due to the ongoing financial woes of the nation, be they struggling to meet an unaffordable mortgage, confronting the loss of a job, or working to find just resolutions to the crisis; and
those serving or living in war or conflict zones around the world, or where terrorists have struck, particularly in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Colombia, and the Sudan.
To be added to the prayer list, please send an email to webmaster@ctucc.org.
Darien
First Cong'l Church of Darien
IN The Rev. Dr. Donald J. Longbottom
CE Ms. Kathy Cramer
CE Ms. Tracey Berry
Deep River
First Cong'l Church
P The Rev. Timothy E. Haut
CE Ms. Sybil Higgins
Derby
First Cong'l Church of Derby, Inc.
P The Rev. Donna G. Ives
CE Ms. Mary Delventhal
Devon
UCC in Devon
P The Rev. Karl H. Duetzmann
Durham
United Churches of Durham
P The Rev. Elven W. Riggles Jr.
To read previous editions of the Spirit Calendar, visit:
http://www.ctucc.org/fido/spiritcalendar/
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The Spirit Calendar: October 12, 2009 by Rev. Ineke K. Mitchell, North Central Regional Minister
